Building success through skills

There, Eunjoo was exposed to the finance function of the business, learning on the job as she managed accounting, HR and procurement, and, upon returning to the company’s headquarters in Korea, handling project financing and international procurement, followed by another year at a Samsung subsidiary in Singapore.

Shaping expertise

‘Through these roles, I gained hands-on exposure to internal control practices, which are integral to Samsung’s operational success,’ she says. ‘I also supported internal audit activities, further deepening my understanding of governance and risk management. These experiences have significantly shaped my expertise and continue to be invaluable in my current role at Deloitte as a consultant specialising in internal controls, where I help organisations strengthen their frameworks and address complex challenges.’

At the time, ACCA was not well known in Korea, she recalls, but she’d noticed that most candidates applying for accountancy positions in Singapore held this qualification. ‘This sparked my curiosity, and I vividly remember asking interviewees about ACCA during recruitment processes. That’s when I realised its significance as a globally recognised professional accounting qualification.

‘What attracted me to ACCA was its comprehensive curriculum, which goes beyond accounting and auditing to cover areas like finance, investment and strategy,’ Eunjoo continues. ‘The practical nature of the programme, enabling immediate application to workplace challenges, was particularly appealing. For instance, the knowledge I gained from studying business risk assessment during the professional level exams remains highly relevant in my current consulting work.’

Moving to Malaysia to pursue a master’s degree in Islamic finance at INCEIF University, Eunjoo simultaneously studied for ACCA, completing the course entirely online. This led to an offer from an accounting firm in London and a second MSc – this time in professional accountancy at the University of London – until in 2020 Covid took her back to Korea. There, she joined Deloitte Korea’s risk advisory practice, primarily working on risk management and internal control.

‘This role allowed me to leverage my expertise to help organisations strengthen their governance and resilience in the face of uncertainty,’ she says. ‘It was a meaningful step in my career, enabling me to address complex challenges and support businesses in adapting to a rapidly changing environment.’

Manager and mentor

Promoted to senior manager in September 2024, Eunjoo’s current role involves overseeing the delivery of project outcomes to ensure they meet the client’s objectives and expectations. ‘This includes clearly understanding and communicating client requirements, fostering strong collaboration and delivering tailored solutions,’ she says.

‘In addition to client-facing responsibilities, I manage and mentor team members, supporting their professional development and ensuring they are equipped to contribute effectively. I also take ownership of managing project profitability, ensuring that resources are utilised efficiently while maintaining high-quality outcomes.

‘Ultimately, my role is about balancing strategic leadership, team development and client engagement to drive successful project delivery and long-term value for both clients and the organisation.’

In a business landscape characterised by rapid changes and heightened uncertainties, Eunjoo says robust internal controls and data-driven monitoring are indispensable for building resilience, maintaining compliance and fostering trust among stakeholders.

‘Continuous monitoring, specifically, leverages system-driven data to detect anomalies and potential risks in real time. By analysing transactional data and system activities, businesses can identify issues such as fraud, errors, or inefficiencies early, enabling timely intervention. This proactive approach not only prevents financial and reputational damage but also enhances overall operational efficiency.’

Learning priority

With data analysis now a crucial aspect of internal control, Eunjoo made it a priority to learn. ‘I started studying tools like SQL and Python and business intelligence platforms like Tableau to improve my analytical capabilities,’ she says. ‘This commitment to continuous learning has not only helped me stay relevant in a rapidly changing field, but also enabled me to offer greater value to clients.’

At the same time, Eunjoo initiated a networking group to foster communication and idea exchange among ACCA members within Deloitte Korea.

‘Given that our members belong to diverse functions such as audit, tax and management consulting, the networking group offers a great opportunity to share insights into the different projects we’re working on, as well as discuss potential business opportunities,’ she says. ‘In practice, there are often situations where we need to seek advice or expertise from other functions, and our networking group has been instrumental in facilitating this. The connections we’ve built allow us to support each other professionally and collaborate more effectively.’

Pursuing ACCA was a pivotal decision that Eunjoo believes equipped her with a robust foundation for a global career, ‘and it continues to support me in delivering impactful solutions for my clients’.

Recreational travel sates her wanderlust – Eunjoo has visited 48 countries to date – and her professional ambition is now clear. ‘In 10 years, I aspire to be recognised as a specialist in internal audit, particularly in Asia Pacific. To achieve this, I will need to continue honing my expertise in the field.’